Subscribe with SteadyBLITS-M 1, 2, 3
BLITS-M [NIIPP]
BLITS-M (Ball Lens In The Space) retroreflector satellite is an improved version of the BLITS satellite.
BLITS-M is a 220 mm diameter glass sphere made of an inner and outer spherical body made from glass of different densities. It has a mass of 16.7 kg
The purpose of the mission is experimental verification of the spherical glass retroreflector satellite concept as well as obtaining SLR data for solution of scientific problems in geophysics, geodynamics, and relativity by millimeter and submillimeter accuracy SLR measurements. It will be used to increase the accuracy of the GLONASS satellite navigation system.
BLITS-M 1 was launched in December 2019 on a Rokot-KM booster together with a triplet of Gonets-M satellites and DOSAAF-85 (RS 44), but failed to seperate from the upper stage.
Two more will be launched in 2021.
| Nation: | Russia |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology, geodesy |
| Operator: | NII Pretsizionnogo Priborostroeniya (NIIPP) |
| Contractors: | NII Pretsizionnogo Priborostroeniya (NIIPP) |
| Equipment: | Ball lens |
| Configuration: | 22 cm glass sphere |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | None |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 16.7 kg |
| Orbit: | 1500 km × 1500 km, 82.6 |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLITS-M 1 | 2019-096E | 26.12.2019 | Pl LC-133/3 | p | Rokot-KM | with Gonets-M 14, Gonets-M 15, Gonets-M 16, DOSAAF-85 / failed to sperate |
| BLITS-M 2 | - | 202x | with ? | |||
| BLITS-M 3 | - | 202x | with ? |
Launch Sites:
- Pl = Plesetsk (NIIP-53, GIK-1, GNIIP), Russia
